Mechelle McWhirter
Dallas,Texas
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurse (RN) with progressive career history in direct patient care, triage and care coordination in fast-paced environment. Proven to remain calm under pressure and skillfully handle difficult patients and high-stress situations. Consistently developing strong relationships with patients and families through empathetic communication, respectful attitude and excellent customer service.
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse
Medical City McKinney
08.2023 - Current
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
- Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion, and airway management.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients, and determined next course of action.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities.
- Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
- Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing interventions and individualized care plans.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in nursing care and emerging trends in healthcare delivery.
- Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment, and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal providers and care.
- Promoted a culture of safety within the healthcare facility by participating in quality improvement initiatives, identifying potential hazards, and advocating for best practices in nursing care delivery.
- Monitored patient condition by interpreting and tracking EKG readings, identifying irregular telemetry readings and updating team members on changes in stability or acuity.
- Organized and managed care of patients undergoing various therapies and procedures.
- Provided support for patients'' families during difficult medical decisions or end-of-life care, serving as a liaison between the healthcare team and loved ones.
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
- Maintained quality care and comfort for patients with heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and other conditions.
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches.
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners, verifying interventions met treatment goals and identifying insurance coverage limitations.
- Facilitated patient transitions between different levels of care, ensuring continuity of services and minimizing disruptions in treatment plans.
- Reduced hospital readmissions through effective discharge planning, patient education, and follow-up care coordination.
- Contributed to interdisciplinary team meetings by presenting relevant clinical data about patients'' progress toward reaching established goals of care.
- Provided exceptional care to high-acute patients needing complex care such as ventilator management, extensive wound care and rehabilitation.
- Implemented evidence-based fall prevention strategies, resulting in a significant decrease in patient falls within the unit.
- Streamlined medication administration processes for increased safety and accuracy during busy shifts.
- Managed quality care for patients with heart failure, end-stage renal disease and coronary artery disease.
- Participated in nursing simulation activities, evidence-based practice project implementation and competency development to further nursing education.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Provided skilled, timely and level-headed emergency response to critically-ill patients.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
Float PRN Nurse Extern
Medical City Healthcare
10.2022 - Current
- Provide care to patients by assisting R.N.s with all patient care procedures, blood glucose, vitals, bathing and grooming, and other duties in various units such as E.D., ICU Neuro ICU and PCU, and Oncology.
Hair Stylist/Salon Manager
Plano, TX
01.1984 - Current
- Consistently delivers detailed and high-quality hair, make-up, product education, and techniques to other professionals in a high-pressure environment
- Manages employees & employee schedules
- Provides conflict resolution & troubleshooting.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
West Coast University Texas
04.2023
Pre-Requisites
Dallas College
12.2019
Cosmetologist License -
National Beauty School
01.1986
Master of Science - Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (AGACNP)
West Coast University
Los Angeles, CA03.2025
Barber License -
Texas Barber College
01.1984
Skills
- Medication and IV administration
- Medication Administration
- Direct Patient Care
- Patient Assessments
- Documentation and Charting
- Patient Assessment
- Strong Clinical Judgment
- Patient education and counseling
- Patient and family advocacy
- Infection control measures
- Patient Care
- Compassion and Empathy
- Patient Monitoring
- IV setup
- Care Planning
- Patient Management
- Care Plan Development
- Professional Bedside Manner
- Physical assessments
- Patient Evaluation
- Telemetry monitoring
- Licensed RN
- Taking vitals
- Critical Care
- Medication Distribution
- Tracheostomy Care
- Patient Discharge
- Lab result interpretation
- EMR Systems
- Performing EKGs
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Proper catheter insertion/removal
- Intake and discharge
- Emergency Response
- Relationship Building
- Chart updating
- Vaccine administration
- Diabetes management
- Insulin medication assistance
- EMR / EHR
- High level of autonomy
- Chronic Disease Management
- Patient Counseling
- Patient Relations
- Chest pain management
- Emergency Procedures
- Treatment Planning
- Emotional awareness
- Data Collection
- Emotional Intelligence
- Health screening
- Acute care expertise
- Oxygen saturation standards
- Mobility Assistance
- Removing sutures
- Feeding pumps understanding
- Managing deadlines
- Mental Health Nursing
- Family advocacy
- Seizure Management
- Preventive health
- At-risk patient care
Accomplishments
- International Language Exchange Program – 2021-2022
- Sigma Nurse Manager Certificates and Skills checkoffs – 2019-2023
- FEMA ICS Certificates IS-100.C, IS-200.C, IS-700.B, and IS-800.D
- NCTSN Certification –2022
Academic Accomplishments
- Sigma Theta Tau
- Dean’s List 2020-2023
- GPA 3.76
Statement
RN/BSN currently working in the CDU with prior experience as a Nurse Extern. Seeking Emergency Department position. Coachable, energetic, and goal-driven with exceptional interpersonal communication skills. Exemplary multitasking skills, strong work ethic, thrives in providing care under pressure, passionate about High Acuity Care, advocating for a diverse population, and holistically meeting the healthcare needs of patients.
Clinical Rotations
- Medical City Plano, ICU Step Down, 96
- LifeCare Hospital of Dallas, Med Surg 3, 90
- Friends Place, Public Health, 90
- Cook Children’s, Pediatrics, 90
- Millwood, Mental Health, 90
- V.A. of Dallas, Med Surg 2, 90
- Encompass Dallas, Med Surg 1, 90
Skills Certifications
- BLS/CPR American Red Cross
- Exceptional Customer Service
- Administrative Skills
- Time-Management/Scheduling
- Notary Public State of Texas
Volunteer Experience
- Fundraising Chair WCU SNA – 2021-2022
- Mentorship chair 2022-2023
- Student Advisory Council 2022-2023
- WCU Ribbon Cutting – 2022
- Volunteer Blood Glucose Testing and Blood Pressure for WCU ribbon cutting event - 2022
- Student Advisory Council- 2021-2023
- Trusted World – 2022
- Kings Closet – 2022
- Feed My Starving Children- 2022
- Habitat for Humanities – 2022
- Shared Life – 2022
- Venturing Youth Program - 2022
- Dallas Police Association Wellness Fair - 2021
- Dallas Mayor’s Back to School Fair Haircuts – 2016-2018
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Medical City McKinney
08.2023 - Current
Float PRN Nurse Extern
Medical City Healthcare
10.2022 - Current
Hair Stylist/Salon Manager
Plano, TX
01.1984 - Current
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -
West Coast University Texas
Pre-Requisites
Dallas College
Cosmetologist License -
National Beauty School
Master of Science - Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (AGACNP)
West Coast University
Barber License -
Texas Barber College